All Forum Posts by: Brad Schultheiss

An agent could likely find it on the MLS but that information is blocked from none licensed people.

I agree with not joining an apprenticeship if you're aiming to become a gc.  I love apprenticeships for people who don't know what they want to do,  but it takes years to start getting traction and it's a specialized skill set.

You need something that will expose you to more than 1 trade and a lot of different situations.  Nowadays most the new commercial gcs I see have a college degree specific to construction management.  

If you're looking to be a residential gc I would call around to home remodeling companies or flippers and see if they could use any help.   It's certainly easier if you are able to volunteer your time because you can pick and choose the tasks you want to learn easier.  If they are paying you they will want efficiency which only comes from years of repetition which you don't really need.  

You don't need to be good at doing any of it but you must be able to look at it and make sure it was done correctly.  The gc does get stuck strapping on tools in a pinch though so it's nice to be able to do it if need be.

it's going to come down to how you want to play the game.  Personally I believe in as much disclosure as possible.   If I feel like I need to hide information from someone to earn my living I'd rather find another way to pay the bills, but that's just me.  

People will not trust you if they think you're hiding something from them and their minds will jump to much worse reasons than your assignment fee. Your assignment fee shouldn't be a problem as long as the numbers still work for the buyer, especially in this market. 

Edit:  I should add I'd only disclose if asked.   I certainly wouldn't volunteer it. 

there are too many variable to estimate cost without seeing it.   Where I live 2-3k will only upgrade 1 panel.  As already stated the most expensive part is separating circuits that jump from 1 unit to another.   You could get lucky and have it already divided up and it's a quick fix or you could end up completely rewiring one of the units.   If there is a second story with finished flooring it can get very costly because they may have to cut holes in flooring or sheet rock.

Try and find someone who has just quit the work force to stay at home with their children.   A lot of people in this situation would love to have flexible hours and some extra walking around money.  They usually have 2 to 3 hours a day when their kids are sleeping. 

older houses have the ground and neutrals  land on the same bar.  My biggest concern would be whether the gfci is still functioning properly.   If it isn't it should not be wired up.  He could have capped the wires behind the device and put the plug in to protect the wires.   Without looking at what he did I can't tell you how bad it is.   If he's licensed bonded and insured I wouldn't worry about it too much.

My friends grandpa had a duplex built almost 40 years ago and lived in 1 side while renting out the other,  the first tenant who moved in is still there.  My friend bought it a few years back and didn't raise her rent because she's like a grandma to him and her rent alone pays his piti.  

trying to get around an agent at this point will probably not be a good idea.   They have contracts in place or they wouldn't have listed it.   Don't you have a contract with your agent as well?  

a real estate agent.   They could walk with a home inspector if you wanted or just give you pictures of what you want

check the city website.   It's usually a city ordinance.